第3章

_Hither._"Letusgosomewherewherewecanquizthenativeswithoutbeingtoonearthem."

_LadyBar._"Iamtiredofthisunbrokensolitude，Imustgoandthinktothesea，"addedshe，inamocksoliloquy;andoutsheglidedwiththesameunconsciousairashislordshiphadworn.

Theothersmovedoffslowlytogether.

"Mamma，"saidMissVere，"Ican’tunderstandhalfBarbaraSinclairsays."

"Itisnotnecessary，mylove，"repliedmamma;"sheisrathereccentric，andIfearsheisspoilingLordIpsden."

"PoorLordIpsden，"murmuredthelovelyVere，"heusedtobesonice，anddolikeeverybodyelse.Mamma，Ishallbringsomeworkthenexttime."

"Do，mylove."

PICNICNO.2.

Inahouse，twohundredyardsfromthisscene，amerrydance，succeedingamerrysong，hadended，andtheywereinthemidstofaninterestingstory;ChristieJohnstonewasthenarrator.Shehadfoundthetaleinoneoftheviscount’sbooks——ithadmadeagreatimpressiononher.

Therestwerelisteningintently.Inaroomwhichhadlatelybeenallnoise，notasoundwasnowtobeheardbutthenarrator’svoice.

"Aweel，lasses，herearethethreeweekistsset，theladsaretochuse——theanethatchusesreichtistogetPorsha，an’thelavetogetthebag，anddeebaitchelars——FluckerJohnstone，youthat’ssaeclever——areyeforgowd，orsiller，orleed？"

_1stFishwife._"Gowdforme！"

_2dditto._"Thewhitesiller’smytaste."

_Flucker._"Na！there’sayesomedeevelishtrickinthirlassie’sstories.Ishallhato，tilltheitherladshaechused;themairpartwillputthemselsoot，anewillhititoffreichtmaybe，thenIshallgiehimahidin’an’carryoffthelass.You—hoo！"

_JeanCarnie._"That’syou，Flucker."

_ChristieJohnstone._"Anddivyereallythinkwearegawntoletyouseea’theworldchuse？Na，lad，yeareputtenooto’theroom，likewitnesses."

_Flucker._"ThenI’dtossapenny;forgienyetrusttoluck，shewhilesfavorsye，butgienyecommencetoreasonandargefy——ye’redone！"

_Christie._"Thesuitorshadnayourwit，mymanny，ormaybetheyhadnaapennytotoss，saeanechusedthegowd，anethesiller;buttheygotanawfu’affront.Thegoldkisthadjustaskullintil’t，andthesilleradeedcuddy’shead！"

_ChorusofFemales._"He！he！he！"

_DittoofMales._"Haw！haw！haw！haw！Ho！"

_Christie._"An’Porshaputtitthepairofgowkstothedoor.ThencameBassanio，theladfraVeeneece，thatPorshaloedinsecret.Veeneece，lasses，isawonderfulcity;thestreetso’’tarewater，andthecarriagesareboats——that’sinChambers’."

_Flucker._"Whaareyemakingafoolo’？"

_Christie._"What’swrang？"

_Flucker._"Yon’sjustasbigaleeaseverIheerd."

Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismoutherehehadreasontoregretthem;asevereboxontheearwasadministeredbyhisindignantsister.

Nobodypitiedhim.

_Christie._"I’lllaernyet’affrontmebeforea’thecompany."

_JeanCarnie._"Supposeit’salee，there’snaesilvertopayforit，Flucker."

_Christie._"Jean，Ineverteltaleeina’mydays."

_Jean._"There’sanetobeginwi’then.Goahead，Custy."

_Christie._"Shebadethemusicplayforhim，formusicbrightensthoucht;onyway，hechosetheleedkist.Open’standwasn’ttherePorsha’spictur，andaposy，thatsaid：

’Ifyoubewellpleasedwiththis，Andholdyourfortuneforyourbliss;

Turnyouwhereyourleddyiss，Andgreetherwi’aloving——"’_（Pause）._

"Kess，"roaredthecompany.

_Chorus，ledbyFlucker._"Hurraih！"

_Christie（pathetically）._"Flucker，behave！"

_SandyListon（drunk）._"Hur—raih！"Hethensolemnlyreflected."Na！butit’snahurraih，decencyrequiresamenfirstan’hurraihafterward;

here’skissinplenty，butIhearnaewordo’theminister.Ye’llobsairve，youngwoman，thatkissin’stheprologuetosin，andI’madecentmon，an’agray—headedmon，an’yourlichtstoriesarenoforme;

saeiftheminister’snoexpeckitIshallretire——an’takmyquietgillmylane."

_JeanCarnie._"AnddivyereallythinkadecentcummerlikeCustywadlettheladandlassmisbehavethirsels？Na！lad，theminister’satthedoor，but"（sinkinghervoicetoaconfidentialwhisper）"Idaurnalethimin，forfearhe’dseeyehaeputtentheenemyinyourmoothsaeaerly.（That’sCusty’sword.）"

"JemmyDrysel，"repliedSandy，addressingvacancy，forJemmywasmysteriouslyatworkinthekitchen，"yehaegottenathoughtfu’wife."

（Then，withastrongrevulsionoffeeling.）"Dinnalettheblackguard*inhere，"criedhe，"tospoiltheyoungfolk’ssporrt."

*AtpresentthisisaspondeeinEngland——atrocheeinScotlandThepronunciationofthisimportantwordoughttobefixed，representing，asitdoes，solargeaportionofthecommunityinbothcountries.

_Christie._"Aweel，lassies，comesalettertoBassanio;hereadsit，andturnsaspaleasdeeth."

_AFishwife._"Gudehelpus."

_Christie._"Poorshabehoovedtokenhisgrief，whahadabetterreicht？

’Here’saletter，leddy，’sayshe，’thepaper’stheboedyofmyfreend，like，andeverywordinitagapingwound.’"

_AFisherman._"Maircyonus."

_Christie._"Lad，itwasfrapuirAntonio，yemindo’him，Lasses.Hech！

theilllucko’yonman，noashipcomehame;anefounderedatsea，comingfraTri—po—lis;thepiratesscuttledanother，an’aneranashoreontheGoodwins，nearBright—helm—stane，that’sinEnglanditsel’，Idaursay.Saehecouldnapaythethreethoosandducats，an’Shylockhadgrippithim，an’soughtthepundo’fleshaffthebreesto’him，puirbody."

_SandyListon._"Hewouldnabethewauro’aweebithiding，yonthunderingurang—utang;letthemanalane，yecursedoldcannibal."

_Christie._"Poorshakeepithermanbutaehoortilltheywereunited，an’thensenthimwi’apuckleo’herainsillertoVeeneece，andAntonio——thinko’that，lassies——pairtedontheirwedding—day."

_LizzyJohnstone，aFishwife，aged12._"Hech！hech！it’slamentable."

_JeanCarnie._"I’msaying，mairriageisquickwark，insomepairts——herethere’sanawfu’troubletogetaman."

_AyoungFishwife._"Ay，isthere."

_Omnes._"Haw！haw！haw！"（Thefish—wifehides.）

_Christie._"Fillyourtaupsels，ladsandlasses，andawatoVeneece."

_SandyListon（sturdily）._"I’llnogangtoseathisday."

_Christie._"Noo，weareinthehallo’judgment.Herearesetthejudges，awfu’tobehold;there，onhisthrone，presidestheJuke."

_Flucker._"She’sawatoherEnnglish."

_LizzyJohnstone._"DidwecometoVeeneecetospeakScoetch，yeuselessfule？"

_Christie._"Here，paleandhopeless，butresigned，standsthebrokenmairchant，Antonio;there，wiscalesandknives，andrevengeinhismurderin’eye，standsthecrewelJewShylock."

"Aweel，"mutteredSandy，considerately，"I’llnomakadisturbanceonaweddingday."

_Christie._"TheywaitforBell——Idinnamindhismind——alaernedlawyer，onyway;he’ssick，butsendsanemairlaernedstill，and，whenthisanecomes，helooksnotoldernorwiserthanmysel."

_Flucker._"Nopossible！"

_Christie._"Yeneednabesaesarcy，Flucker，forwhenhecomestohiswarkhesoonlets’emken——runshiseenlikelighteningowertheboend.

’Thisbond’sforfeit.IsAntonionotabletodischairgethemoney？’’Ay！’

criesBassanio，’here’sthesumthricetold.’SaystheyoungjudgeinabitwhispertoShylock，’Shylock，there’sthricethymoneyofferedthee.

Bemairceful，’sayshe，outloud.’Wha’llmakme？’saystheJewbody.

’Makye！’sayshe;’maircyisnoathingyestrainthroughasieve，mon;

itdroppethlikethegentledewfra’heavenupontheplacebeneath;itblesseshimthatgivesandhimthattaks;itbecomesthekingbetterthanhisthrone，andairthlypowerismaistlikeGod’spowerwhenmaircyseasonsjustice.’"

_RobertHaw，Fisherman._"Dinnaspeaklikethattome，onybody，orI

shallgieyemyboat，andflingmynetsintilit，asyesailawawi’

her."

_JeanCarnie._"Saeheletthepuirdeevilgo.Oh！yekenwhacouldstandupagainstsiccanashowero’Ennglishasthaat."

_Christie._"Hejustsaid，’Mydeedsuponmyheed.Iclaimthelaw，’sayshe;’thereisnopowerinthetongueo’mantoalterme.Istayhereonmyboend.’"

_SandyListon._"Ihaesatquiet！——quietIhaesatagainstmywill，notodisturbJamieDrysel’sweddin’;butyecarrythegameowerfar，Shylock，mylad.I’lljustgiveyonbluidy—mindedurang—utangahidin’，andbringTonyoff，thegude，puir—spiritedcreature.Andhim，an’me，an’

Bassanee，an’Porshee，we’llallhaeagillthegither."

Herose，andwasinstantlyseizedbytwoofthecompany，fromwhomheburstfuriously，afterastruggle，andthenextmomentwasheardtofallcleanfromthetoptothebottomofthestairs.FluckerandJeanranout;

therestappealedagainsttheinterruption.

_Christie._"Hech！he’skilled.SandyListon’sbrakehisneck."

"Whatabootit，lassy？"saidayoungfisherman;"it’sAntonioI’mfearedfor;savehim，lassy，ifpoessible;butIdootye’llnogethimclearo’

yondeevelichheathen.

"AuldSandy’scheapsairved，"addedhe，withalltheindifferenceahumantonecouldconvey.

"Oh，Cursty，"saidLizzieJohnstone，withapeevishaccent，"dinnabreakthebonnyyarnfornaething."

_Flucker（returning）._"He’sa’reicht."

_Christie._"Ishenodead？"

_Flucker._"Himdeed？he’ssober——that’sa’thechangeIsee."

_Christie._"Canhespeak？I’maskingye."

_Flucker._"Yes，hecanspeak."

_Christie._"Whatdoeshesay，puirbody？"

_Flucker._"Hesatup，an’soughtagillfra’thewife——puirbody！"

_Christie._"Hech！hech！hewasmypupilintheairto’sobriety！——aweel，theyoungjudgerisestodeliverthesentenceofthecoort.Silence！"

thunderedChristie.Aladandalassthatwereslightlyflirtingwerediscountenanced.

_Christie._"’Apundo’thatsamemairchant’sfleshisthine！thecoortawardsit，andthelawdoesgiveit.’"

_AyoungFishwife._"There，Ithouchtsae;he’sgauntocuthim，he’sgauntocuthim;I’llnocanbide."_（Exibat.）_

_Christie._"There’safulishgoloshen.’Havebyadoctortostoptheblood.’——’Iseenaedoctorintheboend，’saystheJewbody."

_Flucker._"Baityourhookwi’aboend，andyeshallcatchyoncarle’ssaul，Satin，mylad."

_Christie（withdismalpathos）._"Oh，Flucker，dinnaspeakevilo’

deegneties——that’smaybefishingforyoursel’thenoo！———’An’yeshallcutthefleshfraeoffhisbreest.’——’Asentence，’saysShylock，’come，prepare.’"

Christiemadeadash_enShylock，_andthecompanytrembled.

_Christie._"’Bideawee，’saysthejudge，’thisboendgiesyenaadrapo’bluid;thewordsexpresslyare，apundo’flesh！’"

_（ADramaticPause.）_

_JeanCarnie（drawingherbreath）._"That’sintoyourmutton，Shylock"

_Christie（withdismalpathos）._"Oh，Jean！yon’sanawfu’voolgarexprassiontocomefra’awoman’smooth."

"Couldyenohaesaid，’intilhisbacon’？"saidLizzieJohnstone，confirmingtheremonstrance.

_Christie._"’Thentakyourboend，an’yourpundo’flesh，butincuttingo’’t，ifthoudostshedonedropofChristianbluid，thoudiest！’"

_JeanCarnie._"Hech！"

_Christie._"’ThygoodsarebythelawsVeneececon—fis—cate，confiscate！’"

Then，likeanartfulnarrator，shebegantowindupthestorymorerapidly.

"SaeShylockgottobenosaesaucy.’Paytheboendthrice，’sayshe，’andletthepuirdeevilgo.’——’Hereit’s，’saysBassanio.——Na！theyoungjudgewadnalethim.——’Hehasrefuseditinopencoort;noabawbeeforShylockbutjusttheforfeiture;an’hedaurnatakit.’——’I’mawa’，’

sayshe.’Thedeiviltakyea’.’——Na！hewasnatowinclearsae;ancethey’dgottentheJewonthehep，theyworriedhim，likegoodChristians，that’safact.Thejudgefandalawthatfittedhim，forconspiringagainstthelifeofacitizen;an’hebehoovedtogiveuphoosean’

lands，andbeaChristian;yonwasasoordrap——hetarnednoweel，puirauldvillain，an’scairtit;an’thelawyerssentaneo’theirwearyparchmentstillhishoose，andthepuirauldheathensignedawa’hissiller，an’Abraham，an’Isaac，an’Jacob，ontheheedo’’t.Ipityhim，anauld，auldman;andhisdochterhadrinoffwi’aChristianlad——theyca’herJessica，anddidn’tshestealhisverydiamondringthathisainlassgiedhimwhenhewasyoung，an’maybenosaehard—hairted？"

_JeanCarnie._"Oh，thejaud！supposehewasaJew，itwasnaherbusinesstocleanhimoot."

_AyoungFishwife._"Aweel，itwasonlyaJewbody，that’smycomfort."

_Christie._"YespeakasaJewwasnaaman;hasnotaJeweyes，ifyeplease？"

_LizzyJohnstone._"Ay，hashe！——andtheawfuestlangnebatween’em."

_Christie._"HasnotaJewaffections，paassions，organs？"

_Jean._"Na！Christie;thirladscomesfr’Italy！"

_Christie._"Ifyouprickhim，doeshenotbleed？ifyouticklehim，doesnahelauch？"

_AyoungFishwife（pertly）._"IneverkittletaJew，formypairt——saeI’llnocantellye."

_Christie._"Ifyoupoisonhim，doeshenotdie？andifyouwranghim"

（withfury）"shallhenotrevenge？"

_LizzieJohnstone._"Oh！butye’reafearsomelass."

_Christie._"Wha’llgivemeasangformybonnyyarn？"

LordIpsden，whohadbeenanunobservedauditorofthelatterpartofthetale，hereinquiredwhethershehadbroughtherbook.

"What’nbuik？"

"Yourmusic—book！"

"Here’smymusic—book，"saidJean，roughlytappingherhead.

"Andhere’smines，"saidChristie，birdly，touchingherbosom.

"Richard，"saidshe，thoughtfully，"Iwishyemaynohaebeengettinginvoolgarcompany.Divyethinkwehaemindslikerinningwater？"

_Flucker（avecmalice）._"Andtongueslikethemill—clackabuneit？

Becauseifyethinksae，captain——ye’renofarwrang！"

_Christie._"Na！wehaenamucklegowdmaybe;butourmindsaregowdenvessels."

_Jean._"Aha！lad."

_Christie._"Theyarenotsaxpennysieves，toletmusican’meterthrough，andleaveusnonethewiserorbetter.Dinnaganginlowvoolgarcompany，oryoualostladdy."

_Ipsden._"Vulgar，again！everybodyhasadifferentsenseforthatword，Ithink.Whatisvulgar？"

_Christie._"Voolgarfolksitonanchair，ane，twa，whilesthreehours，eatin’an’abunedrinkin’，asstillashoegs，orgruntin’puirevery—dayclashes，goessip，rubbich;whenyeareasidethem，yemightasweelbeasideacuddy;theycannagieyeasang，theycannagieyeastory，theycannathinkyeathoucht，tosavetheiruselesslives;that’svoolgarfolk."

Shesings."Acaallerherrin’！"

_Jean._"Acaallerherrin’！"

_Omnes._

"Comebuymybonnycaallerherrin’，Sixapennycaallerfromthesea，"

etc.

Themusicchimedin，andthemomentthesongwasdone，withoutpause，oranythingtoseparateorchillthesuccessionofthearts，thefiddlesdivergedwithagallantplungeinto"TheDustyMiller."Thedancersfoundtheirfeetbyaninstinctasrapid，andarattlingreelshookthefloorlikethunder.JeanCarnieassumedtheprivilegeofabride，andseizedhislordship;Christie，whohadamindtodancewithhimtoo，tookFluckercaptive，andthesefourwereonereel！Thereweresevenothers.

Theprincipleofreeldancingisarticulation;thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_accented_note（and，bytheby，itistheirweaknessofaccentwhichmakesallEnglishreelandhornpipeplayerssuchfailures）.

Andinthebeststepsofall，whichithasincommonwiththehornpipe，suchasthequick"heelandtoe，""thesailor’sfling，"andthe"doubleshuffle，"thefootstrikesthegroundforevery_single_noteoftheinstrument.

Allgooddancingisbeautiful.

Butthisarticulatedancing，comparedwiththeloose，lawlessdiffluenceofmotionthatgoesbythatname，givesme（Imustconfessit）asmuchmorepleasureasarticulatesingingissuperiortotunesplayedonthevoicebyayounglady：

Orthecleanplayingofmymothertothepiano—fortesplashingofmydaughter;thoughthelatterdoesattacktheinstrumentasawasherwomanhersoapsuds，andtheformerworkslikealady.

Orskatingtosliding：

OrEnglishversetodactylsinEnglish：

Orpaintingtodaubing：

Orpreservedstrawberriestostrawberryjam.

WhatsaysGoldsmithofthetwostyles？"Theyswam，sprawled，frisked，andlanguished;butOlivia’sfootwasaspattothemusicasitsecho."——_VicarofWakefield._

Newhavendancingaimsalsoatfun;laughtermingleswithagility;

grotesqueyetgracefulgesturesareflungin，andlittleinspiringcriesflungout.

Hislordshipsoonenteredintothespiritofit.Deepinthemysteryofthehornpipe，hedancedoneortwostepsJeanandChristiehadneverseen，buttheireyeswereinstantlyonhisfeet，andtheycaughtinaminuteandexecutedthesesamesteps.

ToseeChristieJohnstonedothedouble—shufflewithherarmssosaucilyakimbo，andherquickelasticfootatanangleofforty—five，wasatreat.

Thedancebecameinspiriting，inspiring，intoxicating;and，whenthefiddlesatlastleftoff，thefeetwentonanothersevenbarsbytheenthusiasticimpulse.

Andso，alternatelyspinningyarns，singingsongs，dancing，andmakingfun，andminglingsomethingofheartandbraininall，thesebenightedcreaturesmadethemselveshappyinsteadofpeevish，andwithadayofstout，vigorous，healthypleasure，refreshed，indemnified，andwarmedthemselvesformanyadayoftoil.

SuchwerethetwopicnicsofInchCoombe，andtheserivalcliques，agreeinginnothingelse，wouldhaveagreedinthis：each，ifallowed（butwewon’talloweither）tojudgetheother，wouldhavepronouncedthesameverdict：

_"Ilsnesaventpasvivrecesgens—l’a."_

CHAPTERXI.

TwoofourpersonagesleftInchCoombelesshappythanwhentheycametoit.

LordIpsdenencounteredLadyBarbarawithMr.————，whohadjoinedherupontheisland.

Hefoundthemdiscoursing，asusual，abouttheshamsofthepresentday，andthesincerityofCromwellandMahomet，andhefoundhimself_detrop._

Theymadehim，forthefirsttime，regretthelossofthoseearnesttimeswhen，"toavoidtheinconvenienceofbothaddressingthesamelady，"youcouldcutarival’sthroatatonce，andbesmiledonbythefairandsociety.

Thatabook—makershouldblasphemehighcivilization，bywhichaloneheexists，andoneofwhosediseasesandflyingpainsheis，neithersurprisednormovedhim;butthatanyhumanbeing’sactionsshouldbeaffectedbysuchtempestuoustwaddlewasridiculous.

AndthatthewittyLadyBarbarashouldbecaughtbythischaffwasintolerable;hebegantofeelbitter.

Hehadtheblessingsofthepoor，thegoodopinionoftheworld;everylivingcreaturewasprepossessedinhisfavorbutone，andthatonedespisedhim;itwasadiabolicalprejudice;itwasthespitefulcapriceofhisfate.

Hisheart，foramoment，wasindangerofdeteriorating.Hewasmiserable;theDevilsuggestedtohim，"makeothersmiserabletoo;"andhelistenedtotheadvice.

Therewasafinebreeze，butinsteadofsailingonawind，ashemighthavedone，hemadeaseriesoftacks，andallwereill.

Theearnestmanfirst;andFluckerannouncedtheskipper’sinsanitytothewholetownofNewhaven，for，ofcourse，thesetackswereallmarinesolecisms.

TheotherdiscontentedPicnicianwasChristieJohnstone.Gattynevercame;andthis，coupledwithfiveorsixdays’previousneglect，couldnolongerpassunnoticed.

Hergayetyfailedherbeforetheafternoonwasended;andthelasttwohourswerespentbyheralone，watchingthewateronallsidesforhim.

Atlast，longafterthedepartureofhislordship’syacht，theNewhavenboatsailedfromInchCoombewiththeweddingparty.Therewasnowastrongbreeze，andthewatereverynowandthencameonboard.Sothemensettheforesailwithtworeefs，anddrewthemainsailoverthewomen;

andthere，astheyhuddledtogetherinthedark，JeanCarniediscoveredthatourgaystory—teller’seyeswerewetwithtears.

Jeansaidnothing;sheembracedher;andmadethemflowfaster.

But，whentheycamealongsidethepier，Jean，whowasthefirsttogetherheadfromunderthesail，whippeditbackagainandsaidtoChristie：

"Hereheis，Christie;dinnaspeaktillhim."

Andsureenoughtherewas，inthetwilight，withapalefaceandanuneasylook——Mr.CharlesGatty！

Hepeeredtimidlyintotheboat，and，whenhesawChristie，an"Ah！"thatseemedtomeantwentydifferentthingsatonce，burstfromhisbosom.Heheldouthisarmtoassisther.

Shecastonhimoneglanceofmutereproach，and，placingherfootontheboat’sgunwale，spranglikeanantelopeuponthepier，withoutacceptinghisassistance.

Beforegoingfurther，wemustgobackforthisboy，andconducthimfromwherewelefthimuptothepresentpoint.

ThemomenthefoundhimselfalonewithJeanCarnie，inhisownhouse，hebegantotellherwhattroublehewasin;howhismotherhadconvincedhimofhisimprudenceinfallinginlovewithChristieJohnstone;andhowsheinsistedonaconnectionbeingbrokenoffwhichhadgivenhimhisfirstglimpseofheavenuponearth，andwascontrarytocommonsense.

Jeanheardhimout，andthen，withtheairofalunatic—asylumkeepertoarhodomontadingpatient，toldhim"hewasonefool，andhismotherwasanother."Firstshetookhimuponthescoreofprudence.

"You，"saidshe，"areabeggarlypainter，withoutarap;Christiehashouses，boats，nets，andmoney;youareindebt;shelaysbymoneyeveryweek.Itisnotprudentonherparttotakeupwithyou——thebetteryourbargain，mylad."

Undertheheadofcommonsense，whichshemaintainedwasallonthesamesideofthequestion，shecalmlyinquired：

"Howcouldanoldwomanofsixtybecompetenttojudgehowfarhumanhappinessdependsonlove，whenshehasnoexperienceofthatpassion，andthereminiscencesofheryouthhavebecomedimanddark？Youmightaswellsetajudgeincourt，thathasforgottenthelaw——commonsense，"

saidshe，"theoldwifeissixty，andyouaretwenty——whatcanshedoforyouthefortyyearsyoumayreckontooutliveher？Whoistokeepyouthroughthosewearyyearsbutthewifeofyourownchoice，notyourmother’s？YouEnglishdoesnareadtheBible，orye’dkenthataladisto’leavehisfatherandmother，andcleaveuntilhiswife，’"addedshe;

thenwithgreatcontemptsherepeated，"commonsense，indeed！ye’refouwi’yourcommonsense;yehaethenameo’’tpateneuch——butthere’snamuckleo’thatmairchandiseinyourharns."

Gattywasastonished.What！wastherereallycommonsenseonthesideofbliss？andwhenJeantoldhimtojoinherpartyatInchCoombe，orneverlookherinthefaceagain，scalesseemedtofallfromhiseyes;and，withaheartthatturnedinamomentfromleadtoafeather，hevowedhewouldbeatInchCoombe.

HethenbeggedJeanonnoaccounttotellChristiethestrugglehehadbeensubjectedto，sincehisscrupleswerenowentirelyconquered.

Jeanacquiescedatonce，andsaid："Indeed，shewouldbeverysorrytogivethelassthatmucklepain."

Shehinted，moreover，thatherneebor’sspiritwassohigh，shewasquitecapableofbreakingwithhimatonceuponsuchanintimation;andshe，Jean，was"naemischief—maker."

Intheenergyofhisgratitude，hekissedthisdark—browedbeauty，professingtoseeinherasister.

Andshemadenoresistancetothiswayofshowinggratitude，butmutteredbetweenherteeth，"He’sjustabairn！"

Andsoshewentaboutherbusiness.

Onherretreat，hismotherreturnedtohim，and，withasadair，hopednothingthatthatrudegirlhadsaidhadweakenedhisfilialduty.

"No，mother，"saidhe.

Shethen，withoutexplaininghowshecameacquaintedwithJean’sarguments，proceededtodemolishthemonebyone.

"Ifyourmotherisoldandexperienced，"saidshe，"benefitbyherageandexperience.Shehasnotforgottenlove，northeillsitleadsto，whennotfortifiedbyprudence.Scripturesaysamanshallcleavetohiswifewhenhehaslefthisparents;butinmakingthat，themostimportantstepoflife，wheredoyoureadthatheistobreakthefifthcommandment？ButIdoyouwrong，Charles，younevercouldhavelistenedtothatvulgargirlwhenshetoldyouyourmotherwasnotyourbestfriend."

"N——no，mother，ofcoursenot."

"Thenyouwillnotgotothatplacetobreakmyheart，andundoallyouhavedonethisweek."

"Ishouldliketogo，mother."

"Youwillbreakmyheartifyoudo."

"Christiewillfeelherselfslighted，andshehasnotdeservedthistreatmentfromme."

"Theotherwillexplaintoher，andifsheisasgoodagirlasyousay——"

"Sheisanangel！"

"Howcanafishwifebeanangel？Well，then，shewillnotsetasontodisobeyhismother."

"Idon’tthinkshewould！butisallthegoodnesstobeonherside？"

"No，Charles，youdoyourpart;denyyourself，beanobedientchild，andyourmother’sblessingandtheblessingofHeavenwillrestuponyou."

Inshort，hewasnottogotoInchCoombe.

Hestayedathome，hismothersethimtowork;hemadeapoorhandofit，hewassowretched.Sheatlasttookcompassiononhim，andintheevening，whenitwasnowtoolateforasailtoInchCoombe，sheherselfrecommendedawalktohim.

Thepoorboy’sfeettookhimtowardNewhaven，notthathemeanttogotohislove，buthecouldnotforbearfromlookingattheplacewhichheldher.

Hewasabouttoreturn，whenaspaciousbluejackethailedhim.SomewhereinsidethisjacketwasMasterFlucker，whohadreturnedintheyacht，leavinghissisterontheisland.

Gattyinstantlypouredoutafloodofquestions.

Thebaddishboyreciprocatedfluency.Heinformedhim"thathissisterhadbeenthestarofagoodlycompany，andthat，herownladhavingstayedaway，shehadcondescendedtomakeaconquestoftheskipperhimself.

"Hehadcomeinquiteatthetag—endofoneofherstories，butithadbeensufficienttodohisbusiness——hehaddancedwithher，hadevenwhistledwhileshesung.（Hech，itwasbonny！）

"Andwhenthecuttersailed，he，Flucker，hadseenherperchedonarock，likeamermaid，watchingtheirprogress，whichhadbeenslow，becausetheskipper，infatuatedwithsosuddenapassion，hadmadeaseriesofungrammaticaltacks."

"Forhisparthewasglad，"saidthegraciousFlucker;"thelasswasapridefulhussy，thathadgivensometwentyladsasoreheartandhimmanyasoreback;andhehopedhisskipper，withwhomhenaturallyidentifiedhimselfratherthanwithhissister，wouldavengethemalesexuponher."

Inshort，hewentuponthistacktillhedrovepoorGattynearlymad.

Herewasanewfeelingsuperadded;atfirsthefeltinjured，butonreflectionwhatcauseofcomplainthadhe？

Hehadneglectedher;hemighthavebeenherpartner——hehadlefthertofindonewhereshecould.

Fool，tosupposethatsobeautifulacreaturewouldeverbeneglected——exceptbyhim！

Itwasmorethanhecouldbear.

Hedeterminedtoseeher，toaskherforgiveness，totellhereverything，tobeghertodecide，and，forhispart，hewouldabidebyherdecision.

ChristieJohnstone，aswehavealreadyrelated，declinedhisarm，spranglikeadeeruponthepier，andwalkedtowardherhome，aquarterofamiledistant.

Gattyfollowedher，disconsolately，hardlyknowingwhattodo.

Atlast，observingthatshedrewnearenoughtothewalltoallowroomforanotheronthecauseway，hehadjustnousenoughtocreepalongsideandpullhersleevesomewhattimidly.

"Christie，Iwanttospeaktoyou："

"Whatcanyehaetosaytillme？"

"Christie，Iamveryunhappy;andIwanttotellyouwhy，butIhavehardlythestrengthorthecourage."

"Yeshallcomebenmyhooseifyeareunhappy，andwe’llhearyourstory;

comeaway.

Hehadneverbeenadmittedintoherhousebefore.

Theyfounditcleanasasnowdrift.

Theyfoundabrightfire，andFluckerfryinginnumerablesteaks.

Thebaddishboyhadobtainedtheminhissister’snameandatherexpense，attheflesher’s，andclaimedcreditforhisaffection.

Potatoeshehadboiledintheirjackets，andsoskillfully，thatthosejacketshungbyathread.

Christielaidanunbleachedtable—cloth，thatsomehowlookedsweeterthanawhiteone，asbrownbreadissweeterthanwhite.

Butlo！Gattycouldnoteat;sothenChristiewouldnot，becauseherefusedhercheer.

Thebaddishboychuckled，andaddressedhimselftothenicebrownsteakswiththeirrichgravy.

OnsuchoccasionsasoloontheknifeandforkseemedbetterthanatriotothegraciousFlucker.

Christiemovedabouttheroom，doinglittlehouseholdmatters;Gatty’seyefollowedher.

Herbeautylostnothinginthissmallapartment;shewashere，likeabrilliantinsomequaint，roughsetting，whichallearth’sjewelersshoulddespise，andallitspoetsadmire，anditshouldshowoffthestoneandnotitself.

Herbeautyfilledtheroom，andalmostmadethespectatorsill.

Gattyaskedhimselfwhetherhecouldreallyhavebeensuchafoolastothinkofgivingupsopeerlessacreature.

Suddenlyanideaoccurredtohim，abrightone，andnotinconsistentwithatrueartist’scharacter——hewoulddeclinetoactinsodoubtfulacase.

Hewouldfloatpassivelydownthetideofevents——hewouldneitherdeserther，nordisobeyhismother;hewouldtakeeverythingasitcame，andtobegin，ashewasthere，hewouldforthepresentsaynothingbutwhathefelt，andwhathefeltwasthathelovedher.

Hetoldhersoaccordingly.

Shereplied，concealinghersatisfaction，"that，ifhelikedher，hewouldnothaverefusedtoeatwhensheaskedhim."

Butourhero’sappetitehadreturnedwithhischangeofpurpose，andheinstantlyvolunteeredtogivetherequiredproofofaffection.

Accordinglytwopoundofsteaksfellbeforehim.Poorboy，hehadhardlyeatenagenuinemealforaweekpast.

Christiesatoppositehim，andeverytimehelookedoffhisplatehesawherrichblueeyesdwellingonhim.

Everythingcontributedtowarmhisheart，heyieldedtothespell，hebecamecontented，happy，gay.

Fluckerginger—cordialedhim，hissisterbewitchedhim.

Sherelatedtheday’seventsinamerrymood.

Mr.Gattyburstforthintosinging.

Hesungtwolightandsombertrifles，suchasinthepresentdayaredeemedgenerallyencouragingtospirits，andparticularlyinaccordancewiththesentimentofsupper——theywereaboutDeathandIvyGreen.

Thedog’svoicewasnotverypowerful，butsweetandroundashoneydroppingfromthecomb.

Histwohearerswereentranced，forthecreaturesangwithaninspirationgoodsingersdarenotindulge.

HeconcludedbyinformingChristiethattheivywassymbolicalofher，andtheoakprefiguredCharlesGatty，Esq.

Hemighthaveinvertedthesimilewithmoretruth.

Inshort，heneversaidawordtoChristieaboutpartingwithher，butseveralaboutbeingburiedinthesamegravewithher，sixtyyearshence，forwhichthespotheselectedwasWestminsterAbbey.

Andawayhewent，leavinggoldenopinionsbehindhim.

ThenextdayChristiewassoaffectedwithhisconduct，comingasitdidafteranapparentcoolness，thatsheconqueredherbashfulnessandcalledonthe"vilecount，"andwithsomeblushesandhesitationinquired，"Whetherapainterladwasafitsubjectofcharity."

"Whynot？"saidhislordship.

ShetoldhimGatty’scase，andheinstantlypromisedtoseethatartist’spictures，particularlyan"awfu’bonnyane;"theheroofwhichshedescribedasanEnglishministerblessingthebairnswithonehand，andgivingorderstokillthepuirScoetchwiththeother.

"C’este’gal，"saidChristieinScotch，"it’sawfu’bonny."

Gattyreachedhomelate;hismotherhadretiredtorest.

Butthenextmorningshedrewfromhimwhathadhappened，andthenensuedanotherofthosedialogueswhichIamashamedagaintogivethereader.

Sufficeittosay，thatsheoncemoreprevailed，thoughwithfargreaterdifficulty;timewastobegivenhimtounsewaconnectionwhichhecouldnotcutasunder，andhe，withtearfuleyesandaheavyheart，agreedtotakesomesteptheveryfirstopportunity.

Thisconcessionwashardlyoutofhismouth，erehismothermadehimkneeldownandbestowedherblessinguponhim.

Hereceiveditcoldlyanddully，andexpressedalanguidhopeitmightproveacharmtosavehimfromdespair;andsad，bitter，anddejected，forcedhimselftositdownandworkonthepicturethatwastomeethisunrelentingcreditor’sdemand.

Hewasworkingonhispicture，andhismother，withherneedle，atthetable，whenaknockwasheard，andgayasalark，andfreshasthedewontheshamrock，ChristieJohnstonestoodinpersonintheapartment.

Shewasevidentlythebearerofgoodtidings;but，beforeshecouldexpressthem，Mrs.Gattybeckonedhersonaside，andannouncing，"sheshouldbewithinhearing，"badehimtaketheoccasionthatsohappilypresenteditself，andmakethefirststep.

Atanothertime，Christie，whohadlearnedfromJeanthearrivalofMrs.

Gatty，wouldhavebeenstruckwiththeoldlady’ssilence;butshecametotellthedepressedpainterthatthecharitableviscountwasabouttovisithimandhispicture;andshewassofullofthegoodfortunelikelytoensue，thatshewasneglectfulofminorconsiderations.

Itsohappened，however，thatcertaininterruptionspreventedherfromeverdeliveringherselfofthenewsinquestion.

First，Gattyhimselfcametoher，and，castinguneasyglancesatthedoorbywhichhismotherhadjustgoneout，said：

"Christie！"

"Mylad！"

"Iwanttopaintyourlikeness."

Thiswasfora_souvenir，_poorfellow！

"Hech！Iwadlikefinetobepainted."

"Itmustbeexactlythesamesizeasyourself，andsolikeyou，that，shouldwebeparted，Imayseemnottobequitealoneintheworld."

Herehewasobligedtoturnhisheadaway.

"Butwe’llnopairt，"repliedChristie，cheerfully."Supposeye’repuir，I’mrich，andit’sa’one;dinnabesocastdownforauchtypund."

Atthis，aslipshodservantentered，andsaid："There’safisherlad，inquiringforChristieJohnstone."

"ItwillbeFlucker，"saidChristie;"showhimben.What’swrangthenooIwonder！"

Thebaddishboyentered，tookupapositionandremainedapparentlypassive，handsinpockets.

_Christie._"Aweel，whatest？"

_Flucker._"Custy."

_Christie._"What’syourwill，mymanny？"

_Flucker._"Custy，IwasatInchKeiththeday."

_Christie._"AndhaeyereallycometoEdinbro’totellmethaat？"

_Flucker（dryly）._"Oh！yekenthelassesareahantlewiserthanweare——willyehearme？SouthInchKeith，Iplayedabowli’thewater，justfordivairsion——andIcatchedtwarreefish！"

_Christie._"Floonders，Ibet."

_Flucker._"Doesfloondersswimhigh？I’llletyouseehisgills，andifyeareareichtfishwifeye’llsmellbluid."

Hereheopenedhisjacket，andshowedabrightlittlefish.

InamomentallChristie’snonchalancegavewaytoafieryanimation.ShedartedtoFlucker’sside.

"Yehaenabeensaedaftastell？"askedshe.

Fluckershookhisheadcontemptuously.

"Onybirdsattheisland，Flucker？"

"Sea—maws，plenty，andabirdIdinnaken;hemoontedsaehigh，thendoonlikethunderintilthesea，andgartthewaterfleeashighasHaman，andporpoisesasbigasmyboat."

"Porr—poises，fulishladdy——yehaeseentheherrinwhaleathiswark，andthesolantguseyehaeseenheratwark;andbeneaththesea，Flucker，everycoedflshanddoegfish，andfishthathasteeth，isafterthem;andhalfScotlandwadbeatInchKeithIslandiftheykennedwhatyehaetell’tme——dinnaspeaktome."

Duringthis，Gatty，whodidnotcomprehendthissuddenexcitement，orthoughtitchildish，hadtriedinvaintowinherattention.

Atlasthesaid，alittlepeevishly，"Willyounotattendtome，andtellmeatleastwhenyouwillsittome？"

Set！"criedshe."Whenthere’snaewarktobedonestanning."

Andwiththisshewasgone.

Atthefootofthestairs，shesaidtoherbrother：

"Puirlad！I’llsunedrawauchtypundsfra’theseaforhim，withmyfeyther’snets."

Asshedisappeared，Mrs.Gattyappeared."Andthisisthewomanwhosemindwasnotinherdirtybusiness，"criedshe."Doesnotthatopenyoureyes，Charles？"

"Ah！Charles，"addedshe，tenderly，"there’snofriendlikeamother."

Andoffshecarriedtheprize——hisvanityhadbeenmortified.

AndsothathappenedtoChristieJohnstonewhichhasbefallenmanyawoman——thegreatnessofherlovemadethatloveappearsmalltoherlover.

"Ah！mother，"criedhe，"Imustliveforyouandmyart;IamnotsodeartoherasIthought."

Andso，withasadheart，heturnedawayfromher;whileshe，withalightheart，dartedawaytothinkandactforhim.

CHAPTERXII.

ITwassometwohoursafterthisthatagentleman，plainlydressed，butwhoseclothesseemedapartofhimself（whereasmineIhaveobservedhanguponme;andtheRev.JosiahSplitall’ssticktohim）——glidedintothepainter’sroom，withaninquirywhetherhehadnotapictureortwodisposable.

"Ihaveonefinishedpicture，sir，"saidthepoorboy;"butthepriceishigh！"

Hebroughtit，inafaint—heartedway;forhehadshownittofivepicture—dealers，andallfiveagreeditwashard.

Hehadpaintedalime—tree，distantfiftyyards，andsopainteditthatitlookedsomethinglikealime—treefiftyyardsoff.

"Thatwas_mesquin，"_saidhisjudges;"thepoetryofpaintingrequiredabstracttrees，atmetaphysicaldistance，notthevarioustreesofnature，astheyappearunderpositiveaccidents."

OnthisMr.Gattyhaddelugedthemwithwords.

"Whenitisart，truth，orsensetofuseacow，ahorse，andacriticintooneundistinguishablequadruped，withsixlegs，thenitwillbearttomeltanash，anelm，andalime，thingsthatdiffermorethanquadrupeds，intowhatyoucallabstracttrees，thatanymanwhohasseenatree，aswellaslookedatone，wouldcalldrunkenstinging—nettles.

You，whoneverlookatnature，howcanyoujudgethearts，whichareallbutcopiesofnature？Attwohundredyards’distance，full—growntreesaremoredistinguishablethantheanimaltribe.Paintmeanabstracthumanbeing，neithermannorawoman，"saidhe，"andthenIwillagreetopaintatreethatshallbenotree;and，ifnomanwillbuyit，perhapsthefatheroflieswilltakeitoffmyhands，andhangitintheonlyplaceitwouldnotdisgrace."

Inshort，heneverleftofftillhehadcrushedthenon—buyerswitheloquenceandsatire;buthecouldnotcrushthemintobuyers——theybeathimatthepassiveretort.

PoorGatty，whenthemomentaryexcitementofargumenthadsubsided，drankthebittercupallmustdrinkawhile，whosebarkisaliveandstrongenoughtostemthecurrentdownwhichthedead，weakthingsoftheworldaredrifting，manyofthemintosafeharbors.

Andnowhebroughtouthispicturewithaheavyheart.

"Now，"saidhetohimself，"thisgentlemanwilltalkmedead，andleavemenoricherincoin，andpoorerintimeandpatience."

Thepicturewasplacedinalight，thevisitorsatdownbeforeit.

Alongpauseensued.

"Hashefainted？"thoughtGatty，ironically;"hedoesn’tgabble."

"Ifyoudonotmindpaintingbeforeme，"saidthevisitor，"IshouldbegladifyouwouldcontinuewhileIlookintothispicture."

Gattypainted.

Thevisitorheldhistongue.

Atfirstthesilencemadetheartistuneasy，butbydegreesitbegantogivehimpleasure;whoeverthiswas，itwasnotoneofthefliesthathadhithertostunghim，northejackdawsthathadchatteredhimdead.

Glorioussilence！hebegantopaintunderitsinfluencelikeoneinspired.

Halfanhourpassedthus.

"Whatisthepriceofthisworkofart？"

"Eightypounds."

"Itakeit，"saidhisvisitor，quietly.

What，nomoredifficultythanthat？Hefeltalmostdisappointedatgaininghisobjectsoeasily.

"Iamobligedtoyou，sir;muchobligedtoyou，"headded，forhereflectedwhateightypoundsweretohimjustthen.

"Itismydescendantswhoareobligedtoyou，"repliedthegentleman;

"thepictureisimmortal！"

Thesewordswereanepochinthepainter’slife.

Thegrave，silentinspectionthathadprecededthem，thecool，deliberate，masterlytoneinwhichtheyweresaid，madethemoraculartohim.

Wordsofsuchimporttookhimbysurprise.

Hehadthirstedforaveragepraiseinvain.

Ahandhadtakenhim，andplacedhimatthetopofthetree.

Heretiredabruptly，orhewouldhaveburstintotears.

Herantohismother.

"Mother，"saidhe，"Iamapainter;Ialwaysthoughtsoatbottom，butI

supposeitistheheightofmyideasmakesmediscontentedwithmywork."

"Whathashappened？’

"Thereisacriticinmyroom.Ihadnoideatherewasacriticinthecreation，andthereisoneinmyroom.

"Hasheboughtyourpicture，mypoorboy？"saidMrs.Gatty，distrustfully.

Tohersurprisehereplied：

"Yes！hehasgotit;onlyeightypoundsforanimmortalpicture."

Mrs.Gattywasoverjoyed，Gattywasalittlesad;but，reviving，heprofessedhimselfglad;thepicturewasgoingtoajudge.

"Itisnotmuchmoney，"saidhe，"butthemanhasspokenwordsthataretenthousandpoundstome."

Hereturnedtotheroom;hisvisitor，hatinhand，wasabouttogo;afewwordswerespokenabouttheartofpainting，thisledtoaconversation，andthentoashortdiscussion.

ThenewcomersoonshowedMr.CharlesGattyhisignoranceoffacts.

Thismanhadsatquietlybeforeamultitudeofgreatpictures，newandold，inEngland.

HecooleddownCharlesGatty，Esq.，monopolistofnatureandtruth.

HequotedtohimthirtypaintersinGermany，whopainteverystrokeofalandscapeintheopenair，andfortyinvariousnationswhohaddoneitintimespast.

"You，sir，"hewenton，"appeartohangontheskirtsofacertainclique，whohandlethebrushwell，butdrawill，andlookatnaturethroughthespectaclesofcertainignorantpainterswhospoiledcanvasfourhundredyearsago.

"Gonofurtherinthatdirection.

"Thoseboys，likeallquacks，haveonegreattruthwhichtheydisfigurewithmorethanonefalsehood.

"Holdfasttheirtruth，whichisatruththeworldhasalwayspossessed，thoughitspracticehasbeenconfinedtothehonestandlaboriousfew.

"Eschewtheirwantofmindandtaste.

"Shrinkwithhorrorfromthatprofane_cultedelaideur，_that’loveofthelopsided，’theyhaverecoveredfromthefoulreceptaclesofdecayedart."

Heremindedhimfurther，that"Artisnotimitation，butillusion;thataplumberandglazierofourdayandamedievalpainteraremorealikethananytworepresentativesofgeneralstylesthatcanbefound;andforthesamereason，namely，thatwitheachoftheseartisinitsinfancy;thesetwosetsofbunglershavenotlearnedhowtoproducetheillusionsofart."

Toallthisheaddedafewwordsofcomplimentonthemind，aswellasmechanicaldexterity，ofthepurchasedpicture，badehimgoodmorning，andglidedawaylikeapassingsunbeam.

"Amother’sblessingisagreatthingtohave，andtodeserve，"saidMrs.

Gatty，whohadrejoinedherson.

"Itis，indeed，"saidCharles.Hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbythecoincidence.

Hehadmadeasacrificetohismother，andinafewhoursoneofhistroubleshadmeltedaway.

InthemidstofthesereflectionsarrivedMr.Saunderswithanote.

Thenotecontainedacheckforonehundredandfiftypounds，withtheselines，inwhichthewriterexcusedhimselffortheamendment："Iamapaintermyself，"saidhe，"anditisimpossiblethateightypoundscanremuneratethetimeexpendedonthispicture，tosaynothingoftheskill."

Wehavetreatedthispoorboy’spicturehithertowithjustcontempt，butnowthatitisgoneintoafamouscollection，mind，wealwaysadmiredit;

wealwayssaidso，wetakeouroathwedid;ifwehavehithertodeferredframingit，thatwasmerelybecauseitwasnotsold.

MR.GATTY’SPICTURE，ATPRESENTINTHECOLLECTIONOFLORDIPSDEN！

Therewas，hundredsofyearsago，acertainBishopofDurham，whousedtofightinpersonagainsttheScotch，anddefeatthem.Whenhewasnotwithhisflock，thenorthernwolvessometimesscatteredit;butwhentheholyfatherwastherewithhisprayersandhisbattle—ax，Englandwontheday！

ThisnettledtheScottishking，sohepenetratedoneday，withalargeband，asfarasDurhamitself，andforashorttimeblockedtheprelateupinhisstronghold.ThiswastheperiodofMr.Gatty’spicture.

Whosetitlewas：

_"HalfChurchofGod，halfToweragainsttheScot."_

Inthebackgroundwasthecathedral，onthetowersofwhichpacedtoandfromeninarmor，withthewesternsunglitteringthereon.Inthecenter，ahorseandcart，ledbyaboy，werecarryingasheafofarrows，tiedwithastrawband.Inpartoftheforegroundwastheprelate，inahalfsuitofarmor，butbareheaded;hewasturningawayfromtheboytowhomhissinkinghandhadindicatedhiswayintotheholycastle，andhisbenignantglancerestedonachild，whomitsmotherwasholdingupforhisbenediction.Intheforegroundtheafternoonbeamssprinkledgoldonalonggrassyslope，correspondingtotheelevationonwhichthecathedralstood，separatedbytheriverWearfromthegroup;andthesecalmbeautiesofNature，withthemotherandchild，werethepeacefulsideofthistwofoldstory.

Sucharethedrydetails.Butthesoulofitscharmnopencanflingonpaper.Forthestatelycathedralstoodandlived;thelittleleavesslumberedyetlived;andthestoryfloatedandlived，inthepotablegoldofsummerafternoon.

Tolookatthispaintedpoemwastofeelathrillofpleasureinbareexistence;itwentthroughtheeyes，wherepaintingsstop，andwarmedthedepthsandrecessesoftheheartwithitssunshineanditsgloriousair.

CHAPTERXIII.

"WHATisinthewindthisdarknight？SixNewhavenboatsandtwentyboysandhobbledehoys，hiredbytheJohnstonesathalfacrowneachforanight’sjob."

"Secretservice！"

"Whatisitfor？"

"Ithinkitisasmugglinglay，"suggestedFlucker，"butweshallknowallingoodtime."

"Smuggling！"Theircountenancesfell;theyhadhopedforsomethingmorenearlyapproachingtheillegal.

"Maybeshehasfandtheherrin’，"saidaten—year—old.

"Haw！haw！haw！"wenttheothers."Shefindtheherrin’，whenthere’sfivehundredfishermenafterthembaithsidestheFirrth."

Theyoungsterwasdiscomfited.

Infacttheexpeditionborenosignsoffishing.

Thesixboatssailedatsundown，ledbyFlucker.HebroughttoonthesouthsideofInchKeith，andnothinghappenedforaboutanhour.

ThensuchboysaswereawakesawtwogreateyesoflightcomingupfromGranton;rattlewentthechaincable，andLordIpsden’scutterswungatanchorinfourfathomwater.

AthousandquestionstoFlucker.

Asinglepuffoftobacco—smokewashisanswer.

AndnowcreptupasingleeyeoflightfromLeith;shecameamongtheboats;theboysrecognizedacrazyoldcutterfromLeithharbor，withChristieJohnstoneonboard.

"Whatisthatbrownheaponherdeck？"

"Amountainofnets——fiftystoutherring—nets."

_Tuncmanifestafides._

Ayellburstfromalltheboys.

"He’sgauntotakustoDunbar."

"Halfacrown！ye’renoblate."

Christieorderedtheboatsalongsidehercutter，andfivenetsweredroppedintoeachboat，sixintoFlucker’s.

Thedepthofthewaterwasgiventhem，andtheywereinstructedtoshoottheirnetssoastokeepafathomandahalfabovetherockybottom.

Aherringnetissimplyawallofmeshestwelvefeetdeep，fiftyfeetlong;itsinkstoaverticalpositionbytheweightofnettwine，andiskeptfromsinkingtothebottomoftheseabybladdersorcorks.Thesenetsaretiedtooneanother，andpaidoutatthesternoftheboat.Boatandnetsdriftwiththetide;if，therefore，thenetstouchedtherockstheywouldbetorntopieces，andthefishermanruined.

Andthissavestheherring——thatfishlieshoursandhoursattheverybottomofthesealikeastone，andthepoorfishermanshalldrivewithhisnetsayardortwooverasquaremileoffish，andnotcatchaherringtail;ontheotherhand，iftheyrisetoplayforfiveminutes，inthatfiveminutestheyshallfillsevenhundredboats.

Atnineo’clockalltheboatshadshottheirnets，andChristiewentalongsidehislordship’scutter;heaskedhermanyquestionsaboutherringfishery，towhichshegaveclearanswers，derivedfromherfather，whohadalwaysbeenwhatthefishermencallaluckyfisherman;

thatis，hehadopenedhiseyesandjudgedforhimself.

LordIpsdenthengaveherbluelightstodistributeamongtheboats，thatthefirstwhichcaughtherringmightsignalallhands.

Thiswasdone，andallwasexpectation.Eleveno’clockcame——nosignalfromanyboat.

Christiebecameanxious.Atlastshewentroundtotheboats;foundtheboysallasleepexceptthebaddishboy;wakedthemup，andmadethemallhaulintheirfirstnet.Thenetscameinasblackasink，nosignofaherring.

Therewasbutoneopinion;therewasnoherringatInchKeith;theyhadnotbeentherethissevenyears.

Atlast，Flucker，towhomshecameinturn，toldherhewasgoingintotwofathomwater，wherehewouldletoutthebladdersanddropthenetsontheircursedbacks.

AstrongremonstrancewasmadebyChristie，butthebaddishboyinsistedthathehadanequalrightinallhernets，and，settinghissail，heranintoshoalwater.

Christiebegantobesorrowful;insteadofmakingmoney，shewasgoingtothrowitaway，andthene’er—do—weelFluckerwouldtearsixnetsfromtheropes.

Fluckerhauleddownhissail，andunsteppedhismastintwofathomwater;

buthewasnotsuchafoolastoriskhissixnets;hedevotedonetohisexperiment，anddiditwell;heletouthisbladderlineafathom，sothatonehalfhisnetwouldliterallybehiggledy—piggledywiththerocks，unlessthefishwerethere_enmasse._

Nolongtimewasrequired.

Infiveminuteshebegantohaulinthenet;first，theboyshauledintherope，andthenthenetbegantoapproachthesurface.Fluckerlookedanxiouslydown，theotherladsincredulously;suddenlytheyallgaveayelloftriumph——anappearanceofsilverandlightningmixedhadglancedupfromthebottom;incamethefirsttwoyardsofthenet——therewerethreeherringsinit.ThesethreeprovedFlucker’spointaswellasthreemillion.

Theyhauledinthenet.Beforetheyhadaquarterofitin，thenetcameuptothesurface，andtheseawasalivewithmoltensilver.Theupperhalfofthenetwasempty，butthelowerhalfwasonesolidmassoffish.

Theboyscouldnotfindamesh，theyhadnothingtohandlebutfish.

Atthismomenttheeasternmostboatshowedabluelight.

"Thefisharerising，"saidFlucker，"we’llnarisknaemairnets."

Soonafterthisasortofsongwasheardfromtheboatthathadshowedalight.Flucker，whohadgothisnetin，randowntoher，andfound，ashesuspected，thattheboyshadnotpowertodrawtheweightoffishoverthegunwale.

Theyweresinging，assailorsdo，thattheymightallpulltogether;hegavethemtwoofhiscrew，andrandowntohisownskipper.

Thesaidskippergavehimfourmen.

Anotherbluelight！

Christieandhercrewcamealittlenearertheboats，andshottwelvenets.

Theyachtsmenenteredthesportwithzeal，sodidhislordship.

Theboatswereallfullinafewminutes，andnetsstillout.

ThenFluckerbegantofearsomeofthesenetswouldsinkwiththeweightoffish;fortheherringdieafterawhileinanet，andadeadherringsinks.

Whatwastobedone？

Theygottwoboatsalongsidethecutter，andunloadedthemintoheraswellastheycould;butbeforetheycouldhalfdothistheotherboatshailedthem.

Theycametooneofthem;theboyswerestrugglingwithathingwhichnostrangerwouldhavedreamedwasanet.

Imagineawhitesheet，fiftyfeetlong，varnishedwithred—hotsilver.

Thereweretwentybarrelsinthissinglenet.Bydintoffreshhandstheygothalfofherin，andthenthemeshesbegantobreak;themenleanedoverthegunwale，andputtheirarmsroundblocksandmassesoffish，andsoflungthemonboard;andthecodfishanddogfishsnappedthemalmostoutofthemen’shandsliketigers.

Atlasttheycametoanetwhichwasadoublewallofherring;ithadbeensometimeinthewater，andmanyofthefishweredead;theytriedtheirbest，butitwasimpracticable;theylaidholdofthesolidherring，andwhentheyliftedupahundred—weightclearofthewater，awayitalltore，andsankbackagain.

Theywereobligedtocutawaythisnet，withtwentypoundssterlinginher.Theycutawaythetwinefromthehead—ropes，andnetandfishwenttothebottom.

Allhandswerenowaboutthecutter;Christie’snetswereallstrongandnew;theyhadbeensometimeinthewater;inhaulingthemupherside，quantitiesoffishfelloutofthenetintothewater，buttherewereenoughleft.

Sheaveragedtwelvebarrelsanet.

Suchoftheyawlsaswerenotquitefullcreptbetweenthecutterandthenets，andcaughtalltheywanted.

Theprojectorofthisfortunatespeculationsuddenlyannouncedthatshewasverysleepy.

Fluckerrolledherupinasail，andshesleptthesleepofinfancyonboardhercutter.

Whensheawokeitwasseveno’clockinthemorning，andhercutterwascreepingwithasmartbreezeabouttwomilesanhour，amilefromNewhavenpier.

TheyachthadreturnedtoGranton，andtheyawls，verylowinthewater，werecreepingalonglikesnails，withbothsailsset.

ThenewswasinEdinburghlongbeforetheylanded.TheyhadbeendiscernedunderInchKeithatthedawn.

Andthemanneroftheircreepingalong，whentherewassuchabreeze，toldthetaleatoncetothekeen，experiencedeyesthataresuretobescanningthesea.

Donkey—cartscamerattlingdownfromthecapital.

MerchantscamepeltingdowntoNewhavenpier.